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Leeds United ace Parker content to bide his time
Darlington are a football club in whom Ben Parker can see obvious significance.
His most creditable appearance for Leeds United's senior team was made at Darlington's stadium, and it is on account of his extended loan with the club last season that Parker has been afforded an equal opportunity to jostle for position at Elland Road this month.
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Sent north to County Durham in February, the missive handed to Parker by Gary McAllister asked him simply to return with first-team appearances under his belt and his reputation enhanced. The proof of the full-back's success has been made clear by his close involvement in United's summer schedule of pre-season friendlies.
Parker made 13 appearances for Darlington during the final throes of last season, contributing to a League Two term which took the club to the play-off semi-finals. Sidelined by injury for the second leg, he could only watch as Dave Penney's team were eliminated by Rochdale via a penalty shoot-out.
The incentive for Parker in accepting the loan was the promise from McAllister that he would be given a fair chance to compete for similar involvement at Elland Road this summer, and the left-back position which the 20-year-old covets will hold his attention during tonight's friendly between Leeds and Darlington and the Darlington Arena.
The competition for that particular position is as fierce as McAllister would want it. Alan Sheehan is a ready-made candidate for the job, and Bradley Johnson is a more makeshift alternative with the long-term potential – in the eyes of United's manager – to occupy that role proficiently.
"I'm not the only player who wants to be the main left-back next season but my biggest objective has always been to establish myself as a first-choice player," Parker said.
"I was told when I went to Darlington that if my loan was successful I'd have the chance to challenge for a first-team place during pre-season, and the manager's been as good as his word. It's not always easy to leave the club you want to play for, but you have to look at the bigger picture.
"The one thing I've always tried to be is patient, and if I'd spat my dummy out last season and said I wanted to stay at Leeds then I'd have been acting like a spoiled child. I'm only young and you won't get anywhere if you don't listen to advice from people who have been there and done it before you.
"When you're my age you want everything to happen quickly, but players develop in their own time.
"I've had loans with Darlington and Bradford City, and I gained a lot from those. I've also played a few games for Leeds already. I feel like I'm ready to get more involved and everyone is waiting now to see who the manager will pick for the first game of next season." Tonight's fixture should give a clear impression of the skeleton of the team which McAllister intends to turn to at the start of the 2008-09 League One term, and United's manager is at the point of finalising his plans after five pre-season friendlies.
Form is not always relevant during summer warm-up fixtures, and Leeds' satisfying tally of three wins and two draws will carry little significance in comparison to their results at the start of next term.
Parker may also be reluctant to read too much into the nature of McAllister's pre-season selections, many of which have hinted heavily that Sheehan is his most likely choice at left-back next season, injury aside.
The Irish defender grew into the role towards the end of last term, and aside from a poorly-judged tackle at Yeovil Town which cost him a suspension and, ultimately, an appearance in the League One play-off final, his presence on the left side of defence caused McAllister few concerns.
Parker said: "The manager was saying to us the other day that there are basically two players to choose from in every position, and that's how he wants his squad to be.
"If you're part of a big squad then there's always the chance that someone else will get in ahead of you, but I'll bide my time if I have to.
"Obviously we're all competitive but we're good friends with it and the team spirit is really high. If Alan or anyone else starts ahead of me then you have to say good luck to them. The one thing we all know is that we've got good enough players here to get promoted next season and that's the only thing that matters to the club.
"For me, it's just nice to feel part of the first-team squad this summer and to feel that you've got a proper chance of getting into the team and staying there. I haven't played too many games for Leeds but I've actually got a good amount of first-team experience behind me. If I'd sat on the bench instead of going to Darlington last season, I doubt that I'd have been as involved as I am at the moment."
Regardless of how McAllister constructs his defence next season, he will have the reassurance of cover in every position.
One of three talented centre-backs – Paul Huntington, Rui Marques and Lubomir Michalik – will be consigned to the bench, and the tussle at left-back is mirrored on the other side of defence where Frazer Richardson and Scott Gardner will compete for inclusion.
Richardson is something of an inspiration for Parker, a player whose patience brought the reward of a regular run in his favoured position last season.
The full-back was, for several years, the understudy to Gary Kelly but he is one defender who is virtually assured of starting United's match at Scunthorpe United on August 9. Parker, whose talent was first displayed to a national audience during a televised Johnstone's Paint Trophy match at Darlington last year, will follow Richardson's lead as he waits to discover how he fits into McAllister's strategy for next season.
"Frazer's a good example of what can happen if you keep your head down and work hard," said Parker.
"He was stuck behind Gary Kelly for a long time but he never complained and he waited for his opportunity. Now he's one of the guys who you expect to be playing every week.
"He's also one of the longest-serving players at Leeds and I think it's a case of reaping what you sow.
"You need talent to do what he's done but your attitude has to be right as well. Most of my mates would chop their right arms off to play for Leeds and I keep telling myself how lucky I am to be in this position."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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